Gratitude Series Episode 8

Hello, my walking friend! I hope you are able to walk at a brisk pace with a sense of freedom in your step. Shake off anything that might be weighing you down, and let’s get started!

Today is the 8th episode in the gratitude series. Each episode during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to meditate on. Today we will be thanking Jesus for our freedom.

Our first verse to meditate on is John 8:36:

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Sometimes I like to walk to the grocery store. Have you ever done that? For me, it’s not a long walk from our house, but I feel like a little conservationist by not taking the car. It makes me think of my grandmother, who never drove a car, and walked everywhere. But after I buy a couple of bags of groceries and head home, I think, yikes! What was I thinking? It’s heavy and hard…and I’m pretty sure, by the time I get home, my arms are a little longer than when I started out!

But the weight of walking through life with emotional baggage is much worse. And that isn’t what Jesus wants for us. He came to release us from the shackles of sin, and of guilt and shame. When we come to him, with a sincere heart, and ask for forgiveness over the things we have done wrong in our lives, he promises to forgive us. He wants to take that weight so we can walk free in him. Imagine what a testimony we can be to others when people see the joy and freedom we experience because of our relationship with Jesus. Every day we can start our walk fresh and unshackled, if we choose. So, confess to Jesus, and give him the weight of your sin, shame and guilt and walk free, because if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!

Our second verse for today is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Take a little time to meditate on today’s verses and to thank Jesus for our freedom.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on these two verses?

In the first part of our walk, we considered emotional baggage that keeps us from being free. But maybe you are experiencing oppression from people, your culture, or your government. The apostle Paul, who wrote this letter to the Thessolonians, understood what it was like to lose his freedom. And yet he said to give thanks in all circumstances. He said he knew what it was like to have plenty and to be in want. He obviously knew what it was like to be physically free and to be in bondage. And he said he has learned how to be content in all circumstances. Many people in the early church, including the apostles, were imprisoned. And many people in our world today are imprisoned because of their faith. Even Jesus was imprisoned. He understands. He knows the pain of imprisonment. But the freedom we get from Jesus is far greater than the physical freedom we experience in this life – remember, my friend, that this life is temporary. One day we will be free from EVERYTHING that shackles us – whether physical, financial, emotional, or relational – and we will be in paradise because of the freedom we have in Christ.

Let’s take some time now to thank Jesus for the freedoms we have in our lives.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for setting me free from sin and death. Thank you for the freedoms I enjoy in the place where I live. Even if where I live has limited my physical freedom, I thank you because I can still have a heavenly perspective about my circumstances. Thank you for being my hope. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me the power to choose holy responses. Thank you for setting me free from condemnation because I am in you. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with me always and for carrying my burdens when we walk. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

What does freedom look and feel like to you? Take some time to consider your answer now.

How free do you feel in your day-to-day life? Is physical, emotional, or spiritual baggage weighing you down? If so, take some time now to ask Jesus to help shoulder your burdens.

Take some time to thank Jesus for the specific ways he has given you freedom – physical, emotional, relational and spiritual.

Before we wrap up, listen again to today’s verses:

John 8:36:

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and thank Jesus now.

Well, you did it, my friend! Another 10 minutes of walking with Jesus. As you walked today, did you release any weight you have been carrying to Jesus? Are you experiencing the freedom Jesus died to give you? I hope so! And I hope you continue to thank Jesus for your freedom!

Thank you for taking the time to walk with me today! But more importantly, you walked with Jesus. the one who gives you freedom.

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.
I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for his peace. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.